Page 67 - TH200 Abundant Life A4 Final

CH A P T E R 5

Election:

The Choice

of God

n the first unit we observed that the salvation experience is like a
chain reaction when a person repents, believes, and is converted.
INow we consider God’s will in salvation and His provision of spiritual
life, a new standing, and a new position for each one who responds to
the gospel.

In our focus on the will of God in salvation, we will realize anew that
His eternal counsel and purpose in predestining us “to be conformed to
the image of His Son” (Romans 8:29) is unknowable. To the person with
an honest, searching heart there will always be an element of wonder
as he or she attempts to adjust God’s sovereign will and purpose with
his or her free will. God’s will is revealed in His great love for us, as well
as in the rich mercy He displayed toward us by making us alive with
Christ—even when we were dead in transgressions (Ephesians 2:4–5).

Grace is God’s being for us when we were against Him. He chose to
create us with a capability of rejecting the love He extended to us. Then
He revealed His grace without limits when He gave His Son for us, a
rebellious race. How could Christ identify himself with guilty sinners,
assume responsibility for their sins, and give himself on the cross as

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